CHAMPIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AERONAUTICS
Making aviation a force for good
Since WISA’s inception in late 2021, we’ve made tremendous strides forward in our goal to become a world-leading hub for research, technology, and education in sustainable aeronautics. The multidisciplinary nature of researchers connected to WISA is a unique strength of the institute, with work stretching across all six faculties at the University of Waterloo. Our hope is to become a beacon of sustainable innovation for the aviation, aerospace, and space industries.
As we work toward that goal, one of our major highlights from the last year was welcoming the first two cohorts of students in our new Collaborative Aeronautics Program (CAP). Research-based master’s and doctoral students from faculties across campus joined the program in 2022 and 2023, marking an important step in our journey toward building a strong talent pipeline of aeronautics leaders.
To that end, I’m also proud to share that we are developing three new professional development courses focused on upskilling the aeronautics workforce in the areas of sustainability and climate change. It’s my hope that these programs will help mobilize more energy, talent, and innovation in pursuit of a sustainable future for aeronautics.
Our work is guided by three core pillars of sustainability — social, environmental, and economic — and, over the last year, we’ve made progress in all three areas. WISA continues to grow and diversify our team, drawing on a wide spectrum of expertise and lived experience to strengthen our capacity. We’re also engaged in research projects across campus focused on all three pillars of sustainability, to innovate aviation training, improve environmental practices, and drive economic growth in Canada and beyond.
This work would not be possible without the support of our valuable industry and government partners. Through your engagement in WISA, we’re building bridges across the sometimes-challenging divide between academia and operations. We are especially grateful to the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) whose investment has allowed WISA to catalyze our sustainability ecosystem by funding 39 research projects with potential to drive economic growth in Canada.
With four associate directors, nearly 150 faculty members, and a growing team of staff, we’re so excited for what’s coming next. I want to extend a special thank you to our newest members for bringing your energy, enthusiasm, and passion as you join us on the journey towards aeronautical sustainability.
Dr. Suzanne Kearns
Founding Director, WISA Associate Professor, Aviation
Meet our Associate Directors
Supporting WISA's Founding Director, this leadership team identifies critical research issues in areas identified by the WISA Board and Advisory Committee. Together, the Associate Directors coordinate the institute's research strategy, liaise with faculty members to facilitate research teams, and develop and evaluate projects that are critically important to the strategic direction of WISA.
